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Rhön Biosphere Reserve Business Partnership Initiative

Lead Organisation:

UNESCO Rhoen Biosphere Reserve, Administration Unit Hessen

Where:

Germany

Time period:

ongoing since 1996

Web link:

http://www.biosphaerenreservat-rhoen.de

Partners:

Numerous enterprises

Aims/Objectives:

	Network of regional enterprises/businesses who actively support and consider through their business philosophy the idea of the Rhön biosphere reserve.
	Contribution to safeguard, maintain and develop the Rhön biosphere reserve's cultural landscape.
	Ecologial aspect: Safeguard and preservation of habitats and ecosystems for wild plants and animals through support of sustainable agriculture and related businesses in the region
	Economic aspects: added value through regional production and marketing network, mutual cooperation and support; promoting a sense of premium quality standards both among producers, customers and tourists.
	Social aspects: fostering of self-esteem in the region; and identification of the businesses and the local population with their region; the creation and securing of jobs in the region.

Measurable results and specific targets:

	By now about 50 businesses have become Rhön Biosphere Reserve Business Partners.
	Indicators: numer of members; intensity of cooperation among members; added value/benefit; another indicator may be to what extent businesses use their Biosphere reserve partnership for advertising;
	Short term goals: all those in the region who are responsible for regional development on variuous levels should accept and promote this concept.
	Reporting: newspaper articles, advertisments; internet

Implementation mechanisms and further application:

	This project was initiated by the Rhön biosphere reserve (Hessian administration unit) in the framework of the creation of a corporate design for the Rhön biosphere reserve across administrative boundaries. 3 Länder/federal states are involved in the Rhön Biosphere reserve.
	The Rhön logo can be used by those businesses who meet certain, controllable criteria. A business (and its range of products and services) should not only be typical to the Rhön and be of outstanding quality but the criteria should be stricter than present legislation requires.
	Financial resources: no public money; expenses are financed by the businesses and by membership fees; businesses who wish to join the initiative need to become member of the Verein Natur- und Lebensraum Rhön e.V. (Rhön biosphere reserve association)
	Technology transfer: apprenticeships for young people in many of the businesses; regular meetings of members until 2001 for training.
	Futher goals: the Rhön Biosphere Reserve Business Partnership Initiative will be integrated in the planned Biosphere reserve product labelling which is promoted by the regional development cooperation ARGE Rhön.